You will learn to make 8x10 black & white photographs on silver gelatin photographic papers in a traditional “wet” darkroom. You will mix photographic chemistry, lay out your processing steps, expose photographic paper, and create traditional black & white photos. You will first make a “contact sheet” to better view your negatives, and then use the contact sheet to select a negative suitable for printing. You may as well know up front. Not every negative is a masterpiece; some print better or more easily than others. Some negatives will never make a photograph. Some will, but that’s for you to decide.

You will use graded & variable contrast papers and expose and develop your photograph. You will learn a systematic way to arrive at your preferred exposure. You will evaluate your work to refine and improve results. You will learn to “dodge & burn”, use filters, paper flashing, and other techniques to affect your photograph. You will learn bleach & redevelopment and toning techniques to further refine your prints and improve their archival stability. You will leave with quality black & white prints suitable for framing.

Friday – Meet & Greet and Familiarization with Facilities & Equipment

Saturday – Lecture & Practice

Lab Procedures & Safety, Chemistry, Papers, Supplies.

Making a Contact Sheet & Using it to select a negative to print

A procedure to create your work print

Photograph Printing - Refining your print technique

Sunday – Lecture & Practice

Photograph Printing - Refining your print technique

Print Toning, Bleach & Redevelopment

Monday – Practice & Wrap up

Photograph Printing & Print Toning

What to Bring:

Notebook, pen/pencil, Willingness to learn, Patience

A more specific list of all equipment and materials needed, will be sent to you via e-mail in advance of your course.

Be sure to specify which dates you would like to attend on this workshop.